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RACO 518 3 in. x 2 in. Gangable Steel Switch Box, 2-1/2 in. Deep
The RACO 518 is a gangable steel switch box measuring 3 in. x 2 in. with a 2-1/2 in. deep interior, built to house switches and receptacles in commercial and residential wiring applications. It includes one 1/2 in. knockout (KO) along with built-in AC/MC/Flex clamps for Armored Cable, Metal-Clad, and Flexible conduit wiring systems, plus integrated plaster ears for secure flush mounting. The RACO 518 is UL Listed for dependable, code-compliant performance.
Key Features
- Trade Size: 3 in. x 2 in. box body with a 2-1/2 in. deep cavity for standard device wiring capacity.
- Durable Construction: Steel box construction (Steel Boxes and Covers category) provides rugged, long-lasting strength for demanding job-site conditions.
- Gangable Design: Gangable construction allows this box to be combined with additional gangable boxes for multi-device switch and receptacle configurations.
- Wiring System Compatibility: Built-in AC/MC/Flex clamps accept Armored Cable/Metal Clad/MCI-A/Flex wiring systems for fast, secure cable termination.
- Knockout: One 1/2 in. KO provides an additional conduit or cable entry point.
- Plaster Ears: Integrated plaster ears support flush, stable mounting against plaster or drywall wall surfaces.
- Bracket Type: No Bracket – a freestanding box configuration for direct mounting applications.
Certifications & Compliance
- UL Listed
Technical Specifications
- Product Type: Steel Boxes and Covers
- Product Depth: 2.5 in
- Bracket Type: No Bracket
- Wiring System: Armored Cable/Metal Clad/MCI-A/Flex
- Gangable: Yes
- Certified Listed: UL Listed
Typical Applications
- Residential and Commercial Switch and Receptacle Installations
- Armored Cable (AC) and Metal-Clad (MC) Wiring Systems
- Flexible Conduit (Flex) Wiring Installations
- New Construction and Renovation Wall Box Applications
- Plaster and Drywall Wall Mounting
Why RACO?
RACO steel switch boxes are engineered with gangable construction, integrated AC/MC/Flex clamps, and plaster ears to simplify installation while maintaining a durable, code-compliant enclosure. The UL Listed rating on the RACO 518 gives electrical contractors and installers confidence in dependable, long-term performance for both new construction and renovation wiring projects.
Manufacturer Resources
Spec Sheet
Product Specs
- list_batch:
- RACO-20260916
- Product Type:
- Switch Box
- Product Depth:
- 2.5 in
- Bracket Type:
- No Bracket
- Wiring System:
- Armored Cable/Metal Clad/MCI-A/Flex
- Gangable:
- Yes
- Certified Listed:
- UL Listed
- Department:
- Electrical
- Product Subgroup:
- Electrical Boxes
- Product Group:
- Boxes & Enclosures
RACO RACO518 – Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can the RACO 518 switch box be ganged together for a two- or three-gang device opening?
Yes. The RACO 518 is a gangable steel box, so the side plates come off and it joins to additional gangable boxes to build two-gang, three-gang or larger device openings. Each box you add is a 3 in. x 2 in. single-device section, 2-1/2 in. deep.
2) Will the RACO 518 accept MC cable without separate connectors?
It has built-in AC/MC/Flex clamps, so armored cable, metal-clad, MCI-A and flexible conduit land directly in the box with no added cable connectors. There is also one 1/2 in. knockout if you need a pipe or connector entry instead.
3) What is the closest gangable steel equivalent to the RACO 518 switch box?
The Steel City Adjust-A-Box LXWOWC-25 is the nearest match in material and construction: it is a 1-gang gangable switch box in pre-galvanized steel, so like the RACO 518 it can be ganged with additional boxes for multi-device switch and receptacle runs. The RACO 518 is a 3 in. x 2 in. steel box with a 2-1/2 in. deep cavity, built-in AC/MC/MCI-A/Flex clamps, plaster ears and one 1/2 in. knockout, and is UL Listed. Confirm which clamp or cable entry arrangement you need before swapping, since that is the main difference between gangable steel boxes of this size.
4) For a non-metallic wiring job, what should be used instead of the RACO 518?
The RACO 518 is a steel box with integrated clamps for Armored Cable, Metal Clad, MCI-A and Flex systems, so it is aimed at metallic cable work. For NM cable in residential walls, the Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox is a 1-gang thermoplastic switch/receptacle box with 18 cu. in. capacity, and the Allied Moulded 2302-NKV is a fiberglass reinforced 2-gang switch box if you need two devices in one opening. Both are non-metallic, so they do not require bonding of the enclosure the way a steel box does.
5) What do the plaster ears on the RACO 518 do for a remodel job?
The plaster ears sit flat against the finished plaster or drywall surface, setting the box depth so the device and plate end up flush with the wall instead of sunk or proud. That matters most on old plaster walls where the finish thickness varies.
6) What is the difference between the RACO 518 steel box and a non-metallic switch box like the Allied Moulded P-181?
The 518 is steel with integral AC/MC/Flex clamps, so it is the box for armored and metal-clad wiring where the metal raceway carries the bonding path. The Allied Moulded P-181 FlexBox is a 1-gang thermoplastic residential box rated 18 cu. in., which suits NM cable work and does not need bonding to the box itself. Choose by the wiring method on the job, not by preference.
7) Is there another gangable steel switch box if I need adjustable depth instead of the RACO 518?
Yes. The Thomas & Betts LXWOWC-25 Steel City Adjust-A-Box is a 1-gang gangable switch box in pre-galvanized steel with an adjustable design, useful where finished wall thickness is uncertain. The RACO 518 is a fixed 2-1/2 in. deep box with plaster ears instead.
8) The RACO 518 has no bracket. What box should I use in a steel stud wall?
The RACO 518 is supplied with no bracket and relies on its plaster ears for flush mounting, which suits direct mounting to wood framing or to an existing wall surface. If you are fastening to steel studs, the Cantex EZ20SB EZ Box is a 1-gang non-metallic box built specifically as a steel stud box, so it addresses that framing directly rather than needing a separate mounting bracket or support.
9) Can I use the Allied Moulded 2302-NKV in place of two ganged RACO 518 boxes?
It covers the same two-device opening but gets there differently. The RACO 518 is gangable, so two of them join to form a two-device assembly in steel. The Allied Moulded 2302-NKV is a one-piece fiberglass reinforced 2-gang box, so it is fixed at two gangs and cannot be extended later, and being non-metallic it is not set up for the AC/MC/MCI-A/Flex clamping the 518 provides. Choose the ganged steel pair if the wiring method is armored or metal-clad or if you may add a third device.
10) Is the Steel City Adjust-A-Box the same thing as the RACO 518?
They overlap but are not identical. Both are 1-gang gangable steel switch boxes, and the LXWOWC-25 is finished in pre-galvanized steel. The RACO 518 is specified as a 3 in. x 2 in. box with a 2-1/2 in. deep cavity, integrated AC/MC/MCI-A/Flex clamps, plaster ears, one 1/2 in. knockout and no bracket. If you are standardizing a facility on one box, match depth and clamp type rather than assuming the two are drop-in across every opening.
11) What part number do I order for the RACO 3 x 2 gangable box, 2-1/2 in. deep?
Order RACO model 518. One model covers it, there are no finish or depth options to specify.
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Does the RACO RACO518 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The RACO RACO518 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
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